In a scattering experiment, a particle of mass 2m collides elastically with a particle of mass m initially at rest. The maximum angular deviation θ of the heavier particle is: Image
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Question

In a scattering experiment, a particle of mass 2m collides elastically with a particle of mass m initially at rest. The maximum angular deviation θ of the heavier particle is: Image

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For a perfectly elastic collision of a projectile of mass M with a stationary target of mass m, the maximum scattering angle of the projectile satisfies sin θₘₐₓ = m/M. Here M = 2m, hence sin θₘₐₓ = 1/2 ⇒ θₘₐₓ = π/6. Therefore option D is correct.